Screen sash



July 2, 1957 v, VAN DETTE 2,797,750

SCREEN SASH Filed Feb. 16, 1954 W///// fl a INVENTOR V|RGll P. VAN DETTE ATTORNEY United States Patent M SCREEN SASH Virgil P. Van Dette, Youngstown, Ohio Application February 16, 1954, Serial No. 410,556

1 Claim. (Cl. 160-392) The present invention relates to screen sash, and more particularly to improvements in screen sash of the type commonly employed in connection with storm windows and doors, for example.

As a primary object, the present invention seeks to provide a screen sash having novel features of construction therein relating to improvements in the manner of securing sections of screening wire to sash frames therefor.

In the construction of screen sash it has been heretofore proposed to provide a sash frame having a continuous groove adjacent its inner peripheral edge portions for the purpose of securing a section of screening Wire to such frame, the groove being adapted to receive a deformable cord or spline whereby the edge portions of the screen section may be frictionally retained in such groove. And the present invention seeks to provide a screen sash constructed generally in accordance with these prior suggestions while incorporating certain specific improved features resulting in a screen sash assembly having desired improved characteristics.

More specifically, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved screen sash assembly, comprised of extruded sash frame members having longitudinal grooves or recesses therein for the reception of a deformable spline and of the edge portions of a screen section, which is characterized by the provision of a modified groove or recess whereby a screen section may be gripped more firmly and positively than heretofore, and whereby a product of improved appearance is obtained.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon full consideration of the following detailed specification and accompanying drawing wherein is disclosed a certain preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a screen sash constructed in accordance with the teachings of my invention; and

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section view taken along line II-II of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference numeral designates generally a screen sash comprising a rectangular section of screening 11 and a sash frame 12 constructed of a plurality of frame sections, which for the purposes of this illustration may be assumed to be identical. In accordance with the general teachings of the prior art there is provided along the inner edge of the sash frame 12 a continuous groove or recess 13. And received in such recesses are the peripheral edge portions of the screen section 11 and a deformable cord or spline 14, the spline 14 serving to frictionally secure the screen section 11 to the frame 12 as will be understood.

Referring now to Figure 2, a sash frame section 12a is shown in more detail. In accordance with the teachings of the invention the recess 13 is provided with inwardly projecting beads 15 and 16 along its upper edges which restrict the opening into the recess somewhat, as will be apparent. And spaced below the beads 15 and 16, but

Patented July 2, 1957 above the bottom17 of the recess, are oppositely disposed inwardly projecting flanges 18 and 19. Following the teachings of the invention the flanges 18 and 19 project inwardly substantially less than half the distance to the center of the recess whereby a longitudinal opening 20, of restricted width, is provided in spaced relation to the bottom surface 17 of the recess.

In assembling the screen sash of Figure 1 the peripheral edge portions of the screen section 11 are positioned in overlying and slightly overlapping relation to the recess 13, the screen being pre-cut to suitable dimensions. Then, in the preferred method of assembly the edges of the screen section are bent downwardly into the recess 13, the extreme edge portion of the screen being urged through the opening 20 into the lower portion of the channel or recess 13.

To secure the screenin its thus assembled relation the spline 14 is next forced into the recess. Preferably the spline is of such size with respect to the recess 13 as to normally fit snugly, but not tightly therein in the upper portion of the recess, as defined by the beads 15 and 16 and flanges 18 and 19. The arrangement is shown in Figure 2, wherein broken line 21 represents the spline 14 in its normal non-distorted condition within the upper portion of the recess 13.

However, when the screen section 11 is inserted into the recess, along one side thereof, as shown in Figure 2, the spline 14 must be deformed substantially in order to be received within the recess 13. And in being so deformed the spline 14 exerts substantial force against the outer side wall of the recess 13 and against the screen section 11. As a result the spline is deformed about the outer bead 16 and flange 19, while the screen 11 is deformed about the inner bead 15 and flange 18, considerable pressure being applied to the screen about both areas so that substantial gripping pressure is applied at both places.

It will be noted that the provision of flanges 18 and 19, in effect dividing the recess 13 into upper and lower portions, permits the application of gripping pressure at two points to the screen section 11, thereby substantially increasing the gripping power of the assembly, and likewise causes the spline 14 to be gripped in two places at the opposite side of the recess. On the other hand, in prior apparatus of this same general type, the spline-receiving recess has not been provided with upper and lower portions as herein proposed so that no secondary gripping means is afforded the screen section 11, and, in most instances, the extreme peripheral edge portion of the screen extends around the lower side of the spline 14 and at least partially up the outer side wall of the recess, reducing the grip upon the spline.

Another advantageous feature of my invention resides in the improved appearance of the product obtained thereby. Thus, in prior screen sash constructions, unless the screen sections are accurately pre-cnt and positioned upon the sash frame ragged edges of the screen are often visible along the outer wall of the recess. While in accordance with the present invention the ragged peripheral edge portions of the screen are inserted into the secondary or lower portion of the recess 13 whereby to be wholly concealed at all times, notwithstanding substantial irregularities in the screen sections or the positioning thereof with respect to the sash prior to assembly.

The above advantages may be realized without adding in any material respect to the cost or difficulty of manufacture of the sash frame section of the sash assembly as a whole, as will be readily apparent.

Having thus shown and described my invention in one of its preferred embodiments, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a screen sash assembly of the type having a sash frame with a continuous generally rectangular recess disposed adjacent it inner periphery, said recess having spaced parallel vertically extending side wall portions and a horizontally extending generally flat bottom wall portion interconnecting said side wall portions, each'of said side wall portions'mounting a continuous integral inwardlyprojecting bead at the top edge thereof, the distance between the beads carried by said spaced side wall portions being less than the distance between said spaced side wall portions to restrict the opening into said'recess, each of said side wall portions mounting a continuous integrally extending flange intermediate said bead carried by said side Wal portion and said bottom wall portion, the distance between the flanges carried by said spaced side wall portions being less than the distance between said spaced side wall portions, said flanges dividing said recess into approximately equal top and bottom recess portions, said beads and flanges providing continuous spaced gripping areas, a screen section being received in said recess with its peripheral edge portion adjacent the innermost of said beads and said flanges and with its extreme peripheral edge received entirely within said bottom recess portion, the major portion of said screen section extending in a plane generally parallel but spaced from said horizontally extending bottom wall portion, a generally circular deformable spline received substantially within said top recess portion, said spline being of such size to be deformed when received within said top recess portion in direct gripping contact with the outermost of said beads and said flanges, and said spline being deformed when within said top portion of said recess to press the peripheral edge portions of said screen section into tight gripping engagement with said innermost of said beads and flanges.

References Cited in the file of this patent Krantz .May 26, 1953 

